rp_0204_4.html

---

---

States Step Up to Green Power

Washington

A new law went into effect January 1, 2002, requiring all utilities with more than 25,000 customers to provide a green power option. The law applies to approximately 75 percent of the state’s electricity customers. Currently, 12 green power programs exist in Washington with over 7,600 participants. While it’s too early to judge the participation rates, the programs have had a solid start despite the constraints on marketing created by the bill. The law prohibits utilities from using general funds to market their green power offering, which has resulted in holding back broader marketing efforts. Renewable energy advocates point out that utilities spread other program costs across ratepayers, and they should be allowed to do the same with their new green power efforts.

Oregon

Seven utilities in Oregon offer green power and together serve about 90 percent of the state’s electricity customers. Most receive their green power choice under the state’s new restructuring law, which requires Portland General Electric (PGE ) and PacifiCorp to offer three green power choices to residential and small commercial customers. The two utilities serve nearly 75 percent of the state.

Both utilities continue to offer wind power products in blocks, a program that pre-dates restructuring. Both have contracted with Green Mountain Energy Company to supply power for the two new products. Both are percentage-based and supply 100 percent of a customer’s power with renewable sources. One goes an extra step (and consequently costs a little more) by supporting projects that restore salmon habitat and watersheds. The total number of green power purchasers has more than doubled since the new options became available. More than 20,000 residential and commercial customers served by PGE and PacifiCorp are participating. Statewide, about 25,000 customers buy green power.

Idaho and Montana

Green power choices are also available in Idaho and Montana. Customers of Northwestern Power (formerly Montana Power Company ) do not yet have a green power option. The Montana Electricity Buying Cooperative , plans to offer Northwestern customers a green power choice some time in May. Proceeds will be used to develop new renewables in Montana. The Flathead Electric Co-op , with a block product available, is the only other utility offering green power to Montanans. In Idaho, two utilities are also offering block products, with over 1,300 customers participating.

No one left out

Finally, customers whose utilities do not offer a green power product can purchase “green tags.” Green tags are the environmental attributes of renewable energy stripped from the actual power and sold separately. In the region, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF ) and Pacific Power Marketing (PPM ) offer green tags to a variety of customers. BEF will serve any size customer, from residential and commercial customers to utilities themselves. For more information, visit www.b-e-f.org . PPM works only with large, utility-scale purchasers.